Instead of preparing for a ceremonial farewell to the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo has stirred up a storm that threatens to overshadow everything he has done for Portugal. His ego and vanity have managed to cast a shadow over his many goals and performances worthy of praise. His decision to leave the national team camp because he was unhappy with his playing time has drawn widespread criticism. On top of that, the team has shown that it can win convincingly without him. Whether he plays or not, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an unavoidable topic in the Portuguese national team. The storm caused by his abrupt departure from the squad in the middle of their Nations League campaign has yet to properly die down, and it looks unlikely to do so anytime soon, as this football soap opera continues to produce juicy new details by the day.🚨📲 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Cristiano Ronaldo’s wife Georgina Rodríguez on IG with a message against JORGE JESUS: "I don’t know how this man can carry the name of Christ (Jesus)." • She also shared a graphic quoting Sir Alex Ferguson: “If Jorge Jesus knew in his heart that he had no intention of using him, then why did he call him up in the first place? To make a point? That is not authority, that is insecurity.”— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 3, 2026 Portuguese media reported this morning that Ronaldo would fly to Riyadh privately during the day, using the very same aircraft that he took when leaving Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on the day of the match against Denmark. Ronaldo is scheduled to feature for Al-Nassr against Al-Diriyah on Friday in the eighth round of the Saudi Arabian league. What makes the situation particularly interesting is the time he is due to arrive in Riyadh. According to information from the airport there, his plane is scheduled to depart at 13:50 and land at 20:44 — exactly one minute before kick-off in Portugal’s match against Norway at the Dragao.Jesus' kiss of death: Portugal boss claims 'no regrets' over benching RonaldoFollowing Portugal’s 4–2 victory away to Denmark, the team’s new captain, Bruno Fernandes, spoke out. The experienced midfielder urged the Portuguese not to allow divisions to emerge within the squad and offered his support to the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the Portuguese national team."I spoke with Cris out of respect, because I know what he means to us Portuguese people, and because my hope is that he doesn't make rash decisions and want to leave the National Team altogether. Because, if he wants to do it, it has to be on a day of celebration and not in a way like this. He deserves it, he's the greatest icon of our football and of the country, someone who took the country's name to a place and level where Portugal had never been before, with all due respect to Eusebio and Luís Figo. If one day Ronaldo has to leave the National Team, it has to be on a day of celebration and not on a day when the country is divided. Being in the national team has to be a place for everyone and a place for all, and where these kinds of divisions don't exist," he said.